The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-09-07

the American producer incalculsble mis-
chief, because it has stimulated foreign
buyers to seek their supply more largely
each year from other fields, and, as con-
sequence, have created formidable compe-
tition for the European markets. In conse-
quence of which, while this proportion of
the crop which was exported in 1892, was
1913 per cent. the per cent. OF the crop the
year ending June 80. 1887, which was ex-
ported, was only 1876 per cent, in the ag-
gregate large falling of. The decline in
exports of wheat from the United States
have had, it is said, marked effect upon
prices. During the five years ending with
the fiscal year 1SS1-s2 the exports of wheat
averaged I56, 706, 457 bushels yearly, -four
included, but during the last four years the
exports have averaged only 12S, 212,592
bushels yearly, a decline of about 49,.
100000 bushels yearly. AS a consequence,
the effect on the price of wheat in the
United States has been remarkable. The
average price, says the writer, for the first
five months of each of the years 1S63-67
inclusive, in New York, was $l.S6; for
the years 1854 it was SLIGO; for the
years 1857 it was S1.34; for the years
1882 it was $1.24; but for the last five
years the average price at New York for
the same months has been only 81 OIL.
This decline can in part, but only in part,
be attributed to the great reduction in
the cost of transporta ion, which Oh the
most important trunk line has bssn from
2 8 cents per ton per m lie for the first period
named to 70 of one cent per ton per mile
for the last five years. Part of the decline.
alike in the price of wheat and in the cost
of transportation, is due to the apprecia-
ton in the purchasing power Of the cur
rency. But with full allowance for this
cause, there nevertheless appears a re-
markable fall in the average price OF
wheat, which since 1882 must be attributed
in the main to the influence of competi-
ton with Indian and other wheat produc-
ing countries. In consequence of this de-
cline the farmers of the Northwest realize
% cents less per bushel for their grain
than they realized during the years
1882 inclusive, and the differ
encs to them means many million dollars,
while the change in their ability to con-
sumo the products of Eastern manufsctur-
ers has been seriously affected. With such
facts in full view, the farmer can afford to
ask himself what benefits have come to
him from protection tariff taxation, and
why he should continue to vote for pol
icy that is cesselessly making him poorer.
He is told what he knows to be true, that
the price of wheat has declined to an ex-
tent which has taken from him many mil
lions Of dollars. More than $105, 000, 900
upon the crop of 1887. But while the
price of the farmers wheat has steadily
and disastrously declined, he has been re-
quired to pay an enormous protection tax
upon an article of necessity he has con-
sumed, upon his sugar, trace chains, nails,
glass, blankets, cotton and wooden goods,
etc., and as the Tribune writer shows the
farmer, owing to the decline in the price
of his wheat hasn't had sufficient money
to purchase largely of the products of
Eastern manufacturers, which are enor.
mously protected. The farmers want less
taxation, and should vote in that di-
rection.